Roses are the star of any August garden. However, while they may look their best, a little maintenance now will help keep repeat-flowering roses flowering for longer, reduce the risk of disease, and prepare plants for autumn.
From deadheading faded flowers to knowing when to stop feeding, here are the key tasks to do with your roses.
1. Deadhead faded blooms
One of the most pressing tasks is removing faded blooms, which stops the plant from putting energy into producing seed and instead encourages it to continue flowering.
'Deadhead roses after they have finished flowering – especially if they are a repeat-flowering variety,' says Richard Barker, horticultural expert and commercial director of LBS Horticulture.
Look out for blooms that are brown and wilted. 'Then, cut around a quarter of an inch above the new leaf or flower bud,' explains David Denyer, florist and gardening expert at Eflorist.
Removing these flowers will keep the health of your rose bush in top quality condition throughout the season.
2. Water deeply at the base
Keeping roses well watered is particularly important during warm August weather – but how you water them matters just as much as how often.
'Ensure that you are watering deeply at the base of the plant instead of wetting the leaves,' says Richard. 'This helps to reduce the risk of fungal diseases, and in hot weather water droplets can act as small magnifying glasses on leaves, leading to them being scorched in the sun.' Deep watering also encourages stronger root growth.
It's a good idea to water outdoor roses roughly every three days during dry weather. ‘Or, if it tends to rain more often this August, you can extend this cycle to water your roses only once per week,’ David explains.
If you're unsure if they need more water, check the moisture of the soil with your fingers without gloves.
3. Stop feeding towards the end of the month
While feeding roses earlier in the growing season encourages plenty of flowers, August marks the point when it's time to ease off.
'If you are providing your roses with fertiliser, this should be stopped around late August so that the plant does not put out new, soft growth that can be damaged by early autumn frosts,' says Richard.
This allows the plant to gradually slow its growth and prepare for the cooler months ahead.
4. Prune rambling roses after flowering
If you're growing rambling roses rather than repeat-flowering shrubs or climbing varieties, August is also the ideal time to prune once flowering has finished.
'After established plants finish flowering, cut the side shoots back to four healthy shoots,’ says Richard. ‘Any dead, diseased or damaged growth should be removed to the base.’
Gardeners should avoid removing this year's main stems. ‘Take care not to cut back any of the current year's growth, as this is what will carry flowers the following year,’ Richard adds.
For general pruning, make clean, sloping cuts around a quarter of an inch above a bud. ‘Cut to an outward-facing bud to encourage an open-centred shape,’ David says. For spreading roses, prune some stems to inward-facing buds to encourage upright growth.
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